Looking for a good watch for survival/outdoor use

[Thalestin]

Gshock to your taste. Cheap and strong and who cares if you scratch it. Automatics are nice and I wear one daily but I don't wear it when I'm exercising or hiking etc.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

I need me a big watch for my big wrist. G shock xxl for me or a pathfinder prg 270.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Another vote for the solar g shock, I had one for a few years till lent it to my daughter and she lost it, (I sure miss that watch) I love the solar watches, I currently have a Citizens Solar Eco-Drive Skyhawk,one tough watch.

 

[BladeScout]

Can anybody recommend a good sub200.00 watch for survival and outdoor applications? Also , what key features should I be looking for if I see a watch I like?

Thanks for the tips

If you are looking for a good sturdy and nearly indestructable watch, Ill recommend the Casio 'G' rated DW5600E or similar model with the same specs.

I brought the above mentioned watch on a tour to the sand box, where it was smashed about and basically shook all abuse off like water from a ducks back.

Its good, its cheap and there are NO batteries to change/rely on, as its solar powered via a panel in the watch face.

Radio controlled as well.

G Shocks are good, but too many times have I seen guys in the field without a working watch because of a failed battery and an inability to get a replacement.

You need to find another watchmaker. I've collected watches for a long time and still have close to 50 mechanicals.

A long time, huh? If your argument against 'Casio G' watches is the above quoted, you need to do your homework and be updated on the wonderful world of 'G' watches

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

Casio pathfinder or g shock xxl.

 

[leghog]

A long time, huh? If your argument against 'Casio G' watches is the above quoted, you need to do your homework and be updated on the wonderful world of 'G' watches

I'll say it again, batteries fail. In both Iraq and Afghanistan had too many compatriots without working wristwatches because their batteries (or kenetic) failed. Early on it was a big problem as watches and batteries weren't there to be had and mail sucked. It'll be the same during the last months of the drawdown.

And again, a Seiko with the 7s26 movement = bombproof. Sadly, I no longer own one. Gave mine away. One to a buddy in Mazar-e Sharif (his watch failed) and the other to my son.

 

[ron finkbeiner jr]

I'll say it again, batteries fail. In both Iraq and Afghanistan had too many compatriots without working wristwatches because their batteries (or kenetic) failed. Early on it was a big problem as watches and batteries weren't there to be had and mail sucked. It'll be the same during the last months of the drawdown.

And again, a Seiko with the 7s26 movement = bombproof. Sadly, I no longer own one. Gave mine away. One to a buddy in Mazar-e Sharif (his watch failed) and the other to my son.

Get you a G shock with the solar power option and no more dead batteries.

 

[Thalestin]

I'll say it again, batteries fail. In both Iraq and Afghanistan had too many compatriots without working wristwatches because their batteries (or kenetic) failed. Early on it was a big problem as watches and batteries weren't there to be had and mail sucked. It'll be the same during the last months of the drawdown.

And again, a Seiko with the 7s26 movement = bombproof. Sadly, I no longer own one. Gave mine away. One to a buddy in Mazar-e Sharif (his watch failed) and the other to my son.

Mechanical watches can fail as well. If they take too much of a tumble they can be broken. All things with moving parts can fail. Nothing is truly bombproof...there are always examples of failures.

 

[filedog]

Or, just include a battery or 2, and a small screwdriver.........

 

[leghog]

Mechanical watches can fail as well. If they take too much of a tumble they can be broken. All things with moving parts can fail. Nothing is truly bombproof...there are always examples of failures.

Seiko 7s26 failures being such rarities is what makes the movement so famous.

 

[leghog]

Or, just include a battery or 2, and a small screwdriver.........

and a gasket or two, a screw or two, etc.... Would probably just be better of carrying a spare watch and waiting until you got home to get the first operating again.

 

[ixer]

i'm liking this one...

 

[BladeScout]

I'll say it again, batteries fail. In both Iraq and Afghanistan had too many compatriots without working wristwatches because their batteries (or kenetic) failed. Early on it was a big problem as watches and batteries weren't there to be had and mail sucked. It'll be the same during the last months of the drawdown.

And again, a Seiko with the 7s26 movement = bombproof. Sadly, I no longer own one. Gave mine away. One to a buddy in Mazar-e Sharif (his watch failed) and the other to my son.

Ohh dear, here we go again...

The problem with the internet is, that eventually you come across somebody who actually knows, what he is talking about.

I repeat; you can get Casio G Shocks WITHOUT batteries - they are charged via a sun panel in the watch face. There are NO batteries to change.

Lets not discuss, what it was like 'early on' anywhere. I dont get the impression, that the OP is asking for nostalgic glimpses of the past.
The OP asked:

Can anybody recommend a good sub200.00 watch for survival and outdoor applications? Also , what key features should I be looking for if I see a watch I like?

Ive brought Casio Gs of different models to both Iraq and Afghanistan - the solar powered one to Afghanistan. They are able to withstand an incredible amount of abuse.

But why do I bother - you are simply (again) ignoring, what people are trying to draw your attention to.
This is simply a repeat of the 'hollow handle knife' thread in 'General Knife Discussion,' where you dissed a design, but obviously had never handled the knives in question nor knew anything about it. At least thats the concensus, when you are asked not once but many times about your experience with something and you just proceed to ignore the questions.

As for being bombproof; most watches can fail, but I belive most who know watches will agree, that although an ugly watch to some, few watches will be able to withstand more abuse than the Casio G Shock range.

 

[leghog]

Ohh dear, here we go again...

The problem with the internet is, that eventually you come across somebody who actually knows, what he is talking about.

I repeat; you can get Casio G Shocks WITHOUT batteries - they are charged via a sun panel in the watch face. There are NO batteries to change.

Lets not discuss, what it was like 'early on' anywhere. I dont get the impression, that the OP is asking for nostalgic glimpses of the past.
The OP asked:


Ive brought Casio Gs of different models to both Iraq and Afghanistan - the solar powered one to Afghanistan. They are able to withstand an incredible amount of abuse.

But why do I bother - you are simply (again) ignoring, what people are trying to draw your attention to.
This is simply a repeat of the 'hollow handle knife' thread in 'General Knife Discussion,' where you dissed a design, but obviously had never handled the knives in question nor knew anything about it. At least thats the concensus, when you are asked not once but many times about your experience with something and you just proceed to ignore the questions.

As for being bombproof; most watches can fail, but I belive most who know watches will agree, that although an ugly watch to some, few watches will be able to withstand more abuse than the Casio G Shock range.

You recommend a GShock as the best for toughness. I recommend the 7s26 (that, plus it's hands free all the time). That's just the way it is. You wear and trust what you will. I'll wear and trust what I will. C'est la vie.

 

[BladeScout]

You recommend a GShock as the best for toughness. I recommend the 7s26 (that, plus it's hands free all the time). That's just the way it is. You wear and trust what you will. I'll wear and trust what I will. C'est la vie.

As predicted:

I repeat; you can get Casio G Shocks WITHOUT batteries - they are charged via a sun panel in the watch face. There are NO batteries to change.

But why do I bother - you are simply (again) ignoring, what people are trying to draw your attention to.

This is simply a repeat of the 'hollow handle knife' thread in 'General Knife Discussion,' where you dissed a design, but obviously had never handled the knives in question nor knew anything about it. At least thats the concensus, when you are asked not once but many times about your experience with something and you just proceed to ignore the questions.

Again, as per your usual MO, you are going to ignore the following:

Please understand, that you can not take Casio Gs out of the equation/recommendation for a tough outdoor watch "because batteries will fail" when you can get Casio G models, where your dont have to change any battery.....ever.

Get you a G shock with the solar power option and no more dead batteries.

He plain dont get it, ron.

 

[sideways]

Why is this thread still going. The g-shock can not be beat. Mechanical watchs are inferior products for afficionado.

 

[leghog]

Why is this thread still going. The g-shock can not be beat. Mechanical watchs are inferior products for afficionado.

Inferior? Now that truly makes me laugh. Some of the most robust movements ever made are mechanical. Omega's 30mm family, Rolex's 157X family, and Seiko's 7s26 to name a few. Let's see those GShocks 75 years later.